Finger shield



April 19, 1949. l, D, A zfiqyfels FINGER SHIELD Filed April 29. 1946 /R40. DAV/S INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 19, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FINGER SHIELD Ira D.Davis, Avery, Tex.

Application April 29, 1946, Serial No. 665,670 1 Claim. (c1. 2-21 Thisinvention relates to safety devices, and has particular reference to afinger guard or shield such as those worn on a workmans fingers whendriving nails, tacks, or the like.

The invention has for its principal object the provision of a fingershield which is comfortable and convenient in use.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a finger protector orshield of the described class which absorbs a portion of the shock, suchas may be caused from the blow from a hammer, and thus lessening thedanger of injury to the nail-holding finger and thumb.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in addition to theforegoing, a relatively light and conveniently used shield which allowsthe unimpaired use of the inner surfaces of the fingers for handling andholding nails or the like, and particularly the holding of small nailsor tacks.

These and other objects will become apparent from the followingdescription of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a hand holding a nail between thethumb and forefinger, with a nail in position prior to driving, andshowing a pair of the hereinafter described shields positioned on thesaid thumb and the said forefinger.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a shield such asworn on the forefinger, and embodying the features of the presentinvention.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the shield shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a lateral sectional view of a shield, such as the one wornon the thumb, and showing the inner construction thereof, and

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the shield shown in Figure 4.

Preferably, the shields l and 2 of the invention are provided in pairs,and each generally conform, respectively, with the outer contours of theforefinger 3 and thumb 4 of the user's hand in the manner shown inFigure 1. The shape of each shield I and 2 is substantially the same 4as that of a dressmakers thimble, but having sides of the same cut away,and having diagonal contours near the outer ends for allowing the wearerto grasp the object, such as the nail 5 to be driven, with hisfingertips.

As shown in Figure 4, each shield I and 2 is arcuate in cross section,and contains therein a laterally disposed arcuate spring band 6 or I,and having a convex inner surface, for engaging either the finger 3 orthe thumb 4. Each spring 6 or 1 is secured to the center of its shield Ior 2 by rivets 8 or 9, or other suitable means. When the rivets 8 or 9are used, small Washers [6 or I l are placed around the same and betweenthe shield i or 2 and the springs 6 or 1.

The contour of each shield I or 2 is such that it does not snugly fitthe finger or thumb 3 or 4, but depends upon the spring action of thearcuate spring 6 or 1 for engagement thereon. Thus, any blow strikingthe shield l or 2 is cushioned and thus lessens the shock imparted toeither of the said shields.

In operation, the shields I and 2 are attached in the manner previouslydescribed and the worker holds and handles the nail or tack 5 in theusual manner for driving the same, but is not impaired in his movements.With the shields l and 2 in place, the finger 3 and the thumb 4 are thusprotected from a misdirected blow of the hammer.

What I claim as my invention is:

In a finger shield, a shield portion arcuate in cross section and openedalong one side thereof, and diagonally contoured at the tip end thereof,and an arcuate spring holder riveted within and spaced from the saidshield for engaging the users finger or thumb.

IRA D. DAVIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 681,054 Hawley Aug. 20, 19011,316,292 Fleming Sept. 16, 1919 1,380,410 Parry June 7, 1921 2,323,854Silverman July 6, 1943

